Utahn back for a third try on 'Survivor: Blood vs. Water'

Former Survivor Castaway, Tyson Apostol and his girlfriend Rachel Foulger, both of Provo, will be two of 20 castaways competing with their loved one and other returning players on "Survivor: Blood vs. Water," when the Emmy Award-winning series returns for its 27th season with a special 90-minute premiere, Wednesday, Sept. 18 (8:00-9:30 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

Provo resident Tyson Apostol is one of the contestants on the next season of “Survivor: Blood vs. Water,” which features 10 former players and their loved ones. The 27th season of “Survivor” premieres Wednesday, Sept. 18.

Tyson Apostol is one of the contestants on the next season of “Survivor: Blood vs. Water,” which features 10 former players. The 27th season of “Survivor” premieres Wednesday, Sept. 18, on CBS.

Apostol, 34, a former pro cyclist and shop manager, who was on “Survivor: Tocantins” and “Heroes vs. Villains,” and his girlfriend, 33-year-old Rachel Foulger, a waitress and graphic designer, are one of the 10 pairs on the reality show where everyone seeks to outwit, outlast and outplay to win $1 million.

“I was definitely unsure of it in the beginning,” Foulger said in a video on the "Survivor" website, adding that it's always been Apostol's thing. “I never pictured myself doing it.”

The advice Apostol has given her includes being nice to everyone and it’s a numbers game.

“Everybody can be used until they get voted off,” Apostol said. “I’ve forgotten that probably both times I’ve played. Almost everyone forgets it.”

The couple, who have been together five years, say they will be staying aligned with each other and anticipate the experience will make them a strong couple.

But Apostol says he wants to try to get contestants to turn other loved ones against each other.

Redemption Island will be back in play this season as those who are voted off will be able to have a chance to compete against each other and get back in the game, according to CBS. Players can choose to switch places with their loved one — letting them back in the game and going to Redemption Island themselves — or letting them stay on Redemption Island.

The contestants include three married couples: Rupert Boneham, 49, who competed on “Survivor: Pearl Island,” “All Stars” and “Heroes vs. Villains,” and his wife, 44-year-old Laura Boneham; 30-year-old Candice Cody, who was on “Survivor: Cook Islands” and “Heroes vs. Villains” and her husband John Cody, 30, who is also a physician; and Monica Culpepper, 42, of “Survivor: One World,” and her husband, Brad Culpepper, 44, an attorney and retired NFL player.

Other teams include two mothers and daughters: Laura Morett, 43, of “Survivor: Samoa” and her daughter, 24-year-old Ciera Eastin; and Tina Wesson, 52, winner of “Survivor: Australia” and “All Stars” and her daughter, 25-year-old Katie Collins.

Also competing are: Kat Edorsson, 23, of “Survivor: One World,” and her boyfriend, 26-year-old Hayden Moss, the winner of season 12 of “Big Brother”; 22-year-old Colton Cumbie, who was medically evacuated from “Survivor: One World,” and his partner, 26-year-old Caleb Bankston; brothers Aras Baskauskas, 31, winner of “Survivor: Panama,” and Vytas Baskauskas, 33, of California; and Gervase Peterson, 43, of “Survivor: Borneo,” and his niece, 21-year-old Marissa Peterson.

Dawn Meehan, a Brigham Young University professor and South Jordan mother of six adopted children, recently tied for second place in “Survivor: Caramoan — Fans vs. Favorites” earlier this year and it was her second stint on the show. In 2007, Todd Herzog of Pleasant Grove outwitted, outplayed and outlasted the other contestants on "Survivor: China" to take home the million-dollar prize.

Christine Rappleye is an editor and reporter for the Deseret News, where she works on the features sections, including the Food/Health section and book reviews, and Mormon Times. She previously worked for the Beaumont more ..